Iron (trace mineral)

Question 1

Where is iron found?

Answer 1

Component in hemoglobin, myoglobin

Question 2

What happens with bleeding?

Answer 2

Significant loss of iron

Question 3

What is the role of transferrin?

Answer 3

Iron carrier in the blood to tissues throughout the body

Question 4

What is ferritin and why is it important?

Answer 4

Iron storage proteins (important because when iron is in access, ferritin stores it for later use)

Question 5

What is hepcidin?

Answer 5

hormone central to iron balance
reduces iron’s absorption from the intestine and release from storage
made by liver

Question 6

What is hemoglobin?

Answer 6

oxygen-carrying protein of the red blood cells

Question 7

What is myoglobin?

Answer 7

the oxygen-carrying protein of the muscle cells

Question 8

What happens with iron overload (toxicity)?

Answer 8

hemochromatosis: characterized by deposits of iron containing pigment in many tissues, with tissue damage. Usually caused by a hereditary defect

Question 9

Heme iron

Answer 9

Iron source

Based on hemoglobin & myoglobin in animal proteins

Question 10

Non-heme iron

Answer 10

Iron source

Whole grains, legumes, dark green veg, enriched refined grains
Poorly absorbed

Question 11

Enhancers to help with absorption of non-heme iron

Answer 11

Vitamin C (provides Fe3 - Fe2)
Organic acids (citric acid, malic acid, tartaric, lactic acid)
Meat, fish
Copper status
Iron pan cooking

Question 12

Inhibitors of absorption of non-heme iron

Answer 12

Phytates (legumes, grains, rice) - decrease by 50%
Tannins
Calcium and phosphorus, zinc

Question 13

Sources of iron

Answer 13

clams
beef
navy and black beans
enriched cereal
spinach
swiss chard
beef liver

Question 14

What is the most common nutrient deficency?

Answer 14

Iron

Question 15

What populations is iron important?

Answer 15

women in reproductive years, pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and adolescents

Question 16

Iron deficiency anemia

Answer 16

Anemia = not enough RBCs
caused by increased need, increased loss, decreased absorption, decreased intake

Question 17

Stages of iron deficiency

Answer 17

Stage 1: both iron stores and ferritin levels diminish. Measures of serum ferritin are most valuable in assessing iron status at this early stage; minimal to no symptoms; no overt effect on RBC formation
Stage 2: characterized by a decrease in transport iron; levels of serum iron fall, levels of iron-carrying protein transferrin increase; Total iron- binding capacity (TIBC) measures the total amount of iron that the blood can carry; start seeing symptoms: chronic fatigue, irritability, and trouble concentrating
Stage 3: iron-deficiency anemia; lack of iron limits hemoglobin production. The hemoglobin precursor, erythrocyte protoporphyrin, begins to accumulate, hemoglobin and hematocrit values decline

Question 18

S&S of iron deficiency

Answer 18

unmotivated, apathetic, less physically fit, progresses to chronic fatigue, irritability and trouble concentrating, progresses to fatigue, weakness, headaches, apathy, pallor, poor resistance to cold temperatures

Question 19

Causes of iron deficiency

Answer 19

Excessive blood loss
Liver dysfunction
Chronic disease
Sickle cell
Low Vit B12 or folate
Iron